Plumb vertical bow

[doug748]

Function in the days of working sail, unhindered by style or rating rules, seemed to suggest straight bows are the practical option.
Style is a matter of taste. Presumably those that hanker after 70s style boats also hanker after an Austin Allegro and wear flares to match

Maybe everyone who does a bit of hankering has to apply some thought to the job:


"Why so much bow rake and not a plumb bow like most modern designs?

"The plumb or relatively upright stem angle's typical of today's boats are a product of fashion that has aligned itself with the common box rule type race boats we wish to emulate. When unconstrained by rules, designers are free to look for advantages in alternative concepts........"

Bruce Farr Designs, Annapolis

As pointed out above the plumb bow works very well in a cat and can be justified in a race boat. Otherwise, it looks a bit like the go faster stripes we used to love.

 

[lpdsn]

A plumb bow gives a higher STIX value.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Function in the days of working sail, unhindered by style or rating rules, seemed to suggest straight bows are the practical option.
Style is a matter of taste. Presumably those that hanker after 70s style boats also hanker after an Austin Allegro and wear flares to match

Oi !, I heard that

I once owned an Allegro, and I do NOT now hanker after one
And I liked flared trousers (but don't now wear them) and bows, so there!

 

[Tranona]

Although some people report that they give their boat measurements to their marina, my experience is like yours, as a result of our marina's measurement policy. This seems logical to me, when the space to be provided depends of the full length.

I think you are being a bit perverse in describing current anchor/bow design as a fashion. With average boat sizes now in the 10-12 metre range, the modern wife will nowadays mutiny if asked to pull such an anchor as is required onto the deck or roller. The 25lb CQR on our old boat was within my wife's ability and a friend got his spouse raising their 35lb version. Our 45lb anchor is sort of self-stowing, but easily manageable by my wife with a winch. I have occasionally seen men on the foredeck but this aberration should be discouraged.

If you are looking for beauty with a plumb bow, the finest-looking boats ever are the Colchester smacks.

You seem to be assuming that the use of the word "fashion" has negative connotations - as many others here also do.

However, things can be useful, well designed, logical and. well fashionable. Would not want to see self stowing and easily handled anchors go out of fashion! Indeed they were fitted to Colchester smacks long before fashions became fashionable and function was the key driver in design.